If you've got a hankering for a good top-down turn-based RPG, Shadowrun Online will have you covered... eventually. The developers have been promoting a Kickstarter to fund the development of their game, and it has passed its goal of $500,000. That means Shadowrun Online will be coming to Android, among other platforms, in May 2013. Yes, that's quite a wait, but now there is some sweet gameplay footage to tide you over.

Shadowrun has a very futuristic cyberpunk feel, but there are also a lot of fantasy elements like Orcs and magic spells. The graphics in this test look very good, and this is still in the early stages of development. All your progress in Shadowrun Online will be synced across devices so you can play on whatever you have handy. The game will have free accounts with in-app purchases for better gear, as well as a paid version that offers you additional perks and unlimited play.

Turn-based strategy hasn't been as popular in recent years, but I'd love to return to that style of gameplay. Strategy is much more important with turn-based games than it is with newer action-oriented RPGs. Just watching the video makes me think of the old Fallout games, and I consider that a very good sign.

Comments

in-app purchases for online games hampers the enjoyment of the whole community; those who have more money have an unfair advantage.

Cheeseball

If the in-app purchases were for vanity items then I'd be okay with that since it wouldn't give an advantage over another player. But if it's Play-2-Win... ugh.

Christopher Lee

Or those willing to spend more money, which is a different but equally important situation. It just makes the game feel less like like a match of skill and more of wallets. And if it's a question of playing chicken with my wallet, I will happily drop out first!

Read about Shadowrun Online. It has classic boxed game NON-F2P servers. You can buy the full core game like any traditional game, and get all in-game content, with NO microtransactions (you still have to play the game to earn in-game nuyen, like earning rupies in Zelda).

This is similar to the Guild Wars model. A 3 to 4 times a year they'll have expansion packs that you can buy inexpensively ($14.99, maybe less) to add new cities/missions and more to the game, but they're not required and you'll be able to pick and choose which you're interested in, and which you're not. They call this NON-F2P style the "Campaign" model.

They ALSO have F2P servers for people who prefer that style of play,
however the developers have repeated staunchly, they are against
"Pay-2-Win" and will have skill/rep and level related requirements in
place to maintain game balance and prevent P2W. And, if you buy the Campaign model you can move freely between the F2P and the Campaign servers, with some restrictions on items/weapons that are stored, waiting for your return to maintain game balance. This way you can still play with friends who aren't ready to buy the Campaign model, or check out what the expansion packs are like before buying them for your Campaign game.

-UGEplex
'Juz ah nutha Unexplained Genetic Expression in da 'plex

Beelzebubba

FYI, per the devs players will have a choice to play on a F2P server or a "campaign" server where everything must be earned. To play on the campaign server will require purchase of the game software, which at this time they estimate at $25. Content updates, which are expected every 3-4 months, will also require purchase. You can read all about it here (scroll down about 2/3):http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1964352341/shadowrun-online/posts?page=4

This actually looks pretty solid to me. I'm impressed. I'd like to see what the IAPs are like and I'm eager to see what the final product turns into, but I could really see this being a real hit. Judging by the interface they are showing off (even if it's only temporary), it hints that this is designed for tablets and full size computers rather than phones, which makes more sense for this type of game. Consider me interested. I wish I'd known this was a kickstarter project, I would have jumped in for a beta-testing position.

On another point related to the Kickstarter backers...HOLY CRAP! 3 people paid for the $10,000 level?!?! I admit, it's some cool stuff, but that's a bit crazy. I really hope the game is a huge hit, just so those guys get enjoyment out of the money they put in.